What does Hebrews 11:26 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 11:26 refers to the faith of Moses as an example to be emulated by Christians.

The verse speaks of Moses valuing the "reproach of Christ" more than all the wealth of Egypt.

Here, the "reproach of Christ" symbolizes suffering or dishonor borne for the sake of following God's will, a concept later embodied in the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

Although Christ had not yet come during Moses' time, the author of Hebrews speaks of Moses' actions as if they were done with Christ in mind, showing that the values and faith represented by Christ were already present in the Old Testament.

Moses is seen as looking forward to a greater reward than earthly treasures; he chose to be identified with God's people rather than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to revert back to Judaism.

The author wrote to encourage them to remain steadfast in their Christian faith.

This was done by drawing parallels between the present Christian experience and the experiences of the Old Testament figures, particularly in acting by faith.

Using Moses as an example, the author harkens back to the time when Moses made a consequential choice to forgo his princely status in Egypt in favor of his identification with the Israelites, who were then slaves.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, this verse illustrates several concepts:

• Identification with Christ: Though Jesus's crucifixion occurred much later in history, the reproach faced by Moses for following God is equated with the sufferings of Christ.

This presages the Christian conviction that all believers' sufferings for their faith share in Christ's sufferings.

• Value of Eternal Over Temporal: Moses' choice reflects the belief in the surpassing value of eternal rewards over earthly wealth.

This is a recurrent theme in Christian theology, where the focus is on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones.

• Faith and Reward: The verse suggests that faith includes a forward-looking aspect, trusting in ultimate vindication and reward by God.

This is a reinforcement of the concept of righteous living being aligned with expecting rewards not in this life but in the life to come.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in various ways:

• Christians are called to prioritize their allegiance to God over the temptations of secular wealth and temporary pleasures.
• Believers are encouraged to endure hardship and persecution with the assurance that their sacrifices have eternal significance.
• This perspective can help individuals make decisions that might be counterintuitive from a worldly perspective but are aligned with their faith and promises of a greater reward.

Cross-References

• Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."
• 2 Corinthians 4:17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
• Philippians 3:7-8: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, two key words stand out in Hebrews 11:26:

• Reproach (ὀνειδισμός - oneidismos): The term refers to disgrace or insult and is used to describe the shame or dishonor Moses chose over the treasures of Egypt.
• Reward (μισθαποδοσία - misthapodosia): This word is typically used for the wages or recompense given for work.

In this context, it refers to the eternal recompense or reward Moses sought through his faithfulness to God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of forfeiting immediate pleasures or material wealth for a greater, often spiritual, reward is common across various ancient cultures and religious traditions.

For example, in Buddhism, there is a strong emphasis on renouncing worldly attachments to achieve enlightenment.

Similarly, in stoicism, there is an emphasis on virtue and the idea that external circumstances should not affect inner peace and moral integrity.

Scientific Perspectives

While the content of Hebrews 11:26 is of a religious and faith-based nature, one can draw a parallel with psychological studies on delayed gratification, where the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward in preference for a later reward has been associated with various positive life outcomes.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse:

• John Calvin interprets this passage as evidence of Moses' faith, which allowed him to see the vanity of worldly pleasures and the true riches that come from God.
• Matthew Henry takes a similar view, emphasizing Moses' choice as guided by faith which esteemed the afflictions borne for Christ as greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt.
• **F.F.

Bruce**, a more contemporary scholar, discusses the enduring quality of the spiritual reward Moses sought, contrasting it with the transitory nature of Egyptian wealth.